Technology Or Talent – Which Is More Vital?
Randy Wolken, President & CEO

Leaders today are grappling with just how important talent and technology are to their organizations’ success. So, which is more important? From where I stand, it is talent. Every place I visit and everyone I turn to is desperately seeking key skills-focused talent. However, many employers are searching for talent to only find shortages. MACNY’s member companies could hire hundreds of workers tomorrow with the right skills. They are just not available. It has become our region’s – and the country’s – number one challenge for growth.

There is a lot of talk today about robots replacing people. People are concerned that their jobs will no longer be available and that a robot will take their livelihood from them. Technology is critical for business success, but it will not result in robots eliminating our jobs. However, it will result in our jobs continuously changing. From what I have seen, as technology becomes more sophisticated, talent development becomes even more important to both business and personal success. It will take talented people to lead and work in successful enterprises. We can see that future – today.

As I am prone to say, the future is here but it is just not widely distributed. As I walk through some of the most automated facilities anywhere in the world, I see how the use of technology is growing exponentially. Do you know what the leaders of those facilities almost always talk about? That they will need greater levels of skills development as they add talent to their team and as they replace their retiring talent. With the right talent, New York State manufacturers can compete with anybody in the world!

It has never been more important to develop your key skill sets so you can thrive in today’s economy. We all must stay aware of the higher-order skills that allow us to add value to endeavors. We must actively seek skill upgrades and learning opportunities. We must become better coworkers and be effective at changing our behaviors. In doing so, we will guarantee our success in a world rapidly developing new technology – and desperately in need of skilled talent to successfully use the technology.

Each leader will need to assist their team in gaining additional skills as they continue to invest in technology. Here at MACNY, we are interested in helping member organizations develop new and existing staff by securing new skills through programs such as our award-winning pre-apprenticeship and registered apprenticeship programs. Each company will need a unique talent strategy to be successful. We can help you with that! You can learn more by contacting Amy Stage at [email protected] .

So, what is more important, technology or talent? From my vantage point, talent wins hands-down!